women contribute fractionally more genetic material to their children than fathers. Galton was not to know that, but it shows that his model was wrong. He assumed a sexed biological role of inheritance that was not there. Ultimately, nurture would explain the discrepancy far more than nature. In the end, his thesis is hamstrung by its lack of objectively rigorous data. Galton blithely acknowledges this—it is the nebulous concept of reputation on which his whole house of cards sits.
